Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 20, 2023
First Reading: Acts 18.23-28
23After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.24Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.27And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Psalm 47
1Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!2For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.3He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah5God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.6Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!7For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!8God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.9The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Gospel: John 16.23b-28
23In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.25"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.26In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.28I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
Sermon
The first reading from Acts tells us about Apollos, a Jewish Christian from Alexandria who was eloquent and well-versed in the Scriptures. Though he knew only the baptism of John, he preached about Jesus with fervor in the synagogue at Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila, a couple who were also disciples, recognized his potential and took him aside to teach him more thoroughly about the Way of the Lord. With their guidance, Apollos became an even more effective preacher, especially among the Gentiles. This passage highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and continuous learning in the life of faith.
The Gospel reading from John is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to his disciples. Jesus assures them that they will no longer need to ask him for anything because they can ask the Father directly in his name. He promises that the Father will give them whatever they ask for, and their joy will be complete. Jesus also mentions that he will no longer speak in parables but will speak plainly to them. This passage emphasizes the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son, and the trust that believers can place in the Father’s love and provision.
Both readings remind us of the importance of prayer and the support of the Christian community. In the first reading, Apollos’ growth as a preacher was made possible by the guidance of Priscilla and Aquila, showing that none of us can grow in faith alone. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to approach the Father with confidence, knowing that our prayers are heard and answered. These readings call us to deepen our prayer life and to seek the support of others in our journey of faith. May we, like Apollos, remain humble and open to learning, and may we, like the disciples, trust in the Father’s love and provision.